[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30357-30358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14400]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-271]
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation; Vermont Yankee Nuclear
Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from Facility Operating License
No. DPR-28, issued to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (the
licensee), for operation of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station
(the facility) located in Windham County, Vermont.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would grant relief from the technical
requirements of Section III.G of Appendix R to Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 50, to the extent that it specifies the
separation of certain redundant safe shutdown circuits with fire-rated
barriers. Alternatively, the licensee proposes to use fire resistant
cables in plant areas on the 280 foot elevation of the Reactor
Building.
The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's
application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July
26, 1996, and November 15, 1996.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The need for this action arises because Paragraph III.G.2.c of
Section III.G, ``Fire protection of safe shutdown capability,'' of
Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, requires:
Enclosure of cable and equipment and associated non-safety circuits
of one redundant train in a fire barrier having a 1-hour fire rating.
In addition, fire detectors and an automatic fire suppression system
shall be installed in the fire area.
The licensee requested an exemption from these requirements to
allow the use of fire resistant cables instead of enclosing the cables
in fire barriers having a 1-hour fire resistance rating. The licensee
proposed to use Rockbestos Firezone R Appendix R fireproof cable to
control equipment necessary to ensure Reactor Building corner room
cooling in the event of a fire in the Cable Vault. An exemption is
needed because the Firezone R cables do not meet the literal
requirements of the regulation.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
exemption and concludes that the proposed exemption will provide
sufficient fire protection and that there is no increase in the risk of
fires at the facility. Consequently, the probability of fires has not
been increased and the post-fire radiological releases will not be
greater than previously determined, nor does the proposed exemption
otherwise affect radiological plant effluents.
The change will not increase the probability or consequences of
accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that
may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the
allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
actions involve features located entirely within the restricted area as
defined in
10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect nonradiological plant effluents
and have no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission
concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed actions.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable
environmental
[[Page 30358]]
impact associated with the proposed actions, any alternatives with
equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated. As an
alternative to the proposed actions, the staff considered denial of the
proposed actions. Denial of the application would result in no change
in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the
proposed actions and the alternative action are similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
These actions do not involve use of resources not previously
considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Vermont Yankee
Nuclear Power Station.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on April 3, 1997, the staff
consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman of
the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the environmental
impact of the proposed actions. The State official had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes
that the proposed actions will not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the
proposed exemption.
For further details with respect to the proposed actions, see the
application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July
26, 1996, and November 15, 1996, which are available for public
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public
document room located at the Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street,
Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 28th day of May 1997.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Vernon L. Rooney,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-14400 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
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